Elsie Drea from Suffolk Academy is the latest NAF Shining Star

Wednesday 12 July 2023

Elsie Drea, from Newmarket, Cambridgeshire, has been awarded the latest NAF Shining Star accolade. Elsie, a member of the British Showjumping Suffolk Academy, was nominated for the award by her coach Mia Palles-Clark.

Elsie currently has three ponies that she competes regularly: her 128cm gelding Lisboy Little Milton, her 128cm mare Maesyceirw Finsceal Beo, and the most recent addition to the team, 138cm Myerscough Maple, whom Elsie has had for four months.

Commenting on Myerscough Maple, who is known as Maple at home, Elsie’s Mum Anna said: “Elsie and Maple hit it off immediately and within their short time together have achieved so much. They have already qualified for four finals together: the 10 & Under Style and Performance Final, the 11 and Under Final, the Stepping Stones 138cm Finals as well as the Bronze League 138cm and Under Final. Maple has also helped Elsie jump her first 138cm Springboard class, her biggest class to date!”

Following the news that she is the latest recipient of the NAF Shining Star Award, Elsie said: “I was absolutely delighted to hear I had been selected for the NAF Shining Star award by my coach, Mia Palles-Clark. It's a great honour to have been selected and we can't thank Mia enough.”

Talking about her aims for the rest of 2023, Elsie is very excited to have a very busy summer of showjumping ahead of her. She will be heading to her first Home Pony show in Wales at the end of July, and then she will be contending several Finals at the British Showjumping National Championships, before going onto the Scope Festival of Showjumping.

Going forward, Elsie wants to be able to move the ponies up, jump some bigger classes and achieve their Springboard double clears for next year. She is also aiming to complete her NAF Five Star level two and three awards as well as jump on more teams with the support from Suffolk Academy. However, the priority is to keep her ponies healthy and happy - they have regular mini breaks to help work towards Elsie’s goals.

Mia Palles-Clark, Suffolk Academy Coach said: “Elsie is only 8-years-old, but she is a regular attendee of academy coaching sessions and has just started going to some of the bigger pony shows.

“She was recently selected to represent Suffolk Academy at the Royal Norfolk Show where the team came fifth overall. Elsie was one of very few double clears and had the fastest time of the day. She was a total team player and supported her other teammates through their rounds and in their lap of honour!

“Elsie is a fantastic example of how academy and teams create friendships and develop skills for the future. This was a huge occasion for them all and Elsie grew and shone in the best way. She totally deserves to be the Shining Star.”

Talking about what it means to be a part of the Suffolk Academy, Elsie’s mum Anna commented: “Suffolk Academy has been wonderful for Elsie to meet new friends that have the same interests and similar goals. This too has made shows even more enjoyable as the friendship groups have broadened. Mia keeps sessions professional, informative, super fun and interactive.

“Elsie is a super loving little girl and supports her fellow riders with a passion. She adores all the children in the Suffolk Academy and has grown a beautiful bond with coach Mia.”

Lisa Field from NAF added: “Elsie is a very deserving recipient of this month’s NAF Shining Star Award. It is wonderful to see such a young rider so dedicated to her horses, all whilst also taking the time to support her teammates. We can’t wait to see your partnership with Mabel grow in the future. Well done, Elsie!”

The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour, along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.

For further information on NAF follow them on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates and rider stories or visit the NAF website at naf-equine.eu/uk

Further information on the British Showjumping Academies can be found here: britishshowjumping.co.uk/training/Academies-1

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